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Question Our Conditioning
In 1995, Hermetic Press published what ended up being a controversial book, Magic and Meaning. I don’t believe it was intended to be controversial by either the publisher nor the authors, Eugene Burger and Robert E. Neale. It was an extension of conversations that the authors had during their time together at the Mystery School… Continue reading
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Black Friday and Other Reflections
Well, we’ve survived another Black Friday week. My thoughts about the shopping extravaganza haven’t changed since last year’s post. Once autumn arrives, it’s best to hold off purchasing any magic items as some are offering great discounts or free stuff. Two items caught my attention; although I didn’t purchase either as I’m in the process… Continue reading
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The Persistent Myth of Learning Styles
It was probably in the mid-90’s that I first heard about learning styles. I was early in my time in the training and development department of a large nonprofit foundation. Our manager at the time introduced us to the idea of learning styles at a team retreat. Like everyone else, I went along with it.… Continue reading
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Performing for People
While digesting this material, it is important not to become burdened with your knowledge of the method—it is vital that you perceive it through the eyes and mind of a layman (don’t think about what you are actually doing; concentrate on what an audience is thinking). I say this because magicians have a tendency to… Continue reading
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Scotty on Sleights
It doesn’t seem that many remember Scotty York. He’s faded from memory as the magic culture shifted over the last decade or two. Like his counterparts Jamy Ian Swiss, Eric Mead, Steve Spell and Doc Eason, he was a bar magician. According to his biographical sketch on Genii’s Magipedia: Scotty York (1937-2012), known as “The… Continue reading
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News Break
“Of course, the news has a way of scattering your brain regardless of when you catch up on it. In 1852, Henry David Thoreau complained in his diary that he had started reading a weekly newspaper and he felt that now he wasn’t paying enough attention to his own life and work. “It takes more… Continue reading
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What’s the Effect?
“The great difference between the professional magician and the amateur magician is that the professional magician knows what an effect is. He knows what the audience sees. It doesn’t matter how crude the method of performing-as long as the effect is good, he will use it. The amateur is more interested in the method. If… Continue reading